A Free-Market Energy Blog

Mexico Hydrocarbon Policy: Socialism as Usual

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- October 3, 2018

“Public [socialistic] resources are really private, owned and exploited by a political elite, while private resources are really public, owned and managed by a multitude. Government-owned resources do not ‘belong to all of the people’ and allow ‘self determination;’ they belong to none or a very few.”

A recent communication from Hector Castro Vizcarra, Minister for Energy Affairs of the Embassy of Mexico, affirms that it is business-as-usual regarding the revised NAFTA agreement for the internal workings of Mexico’s policy for oil and gas (see the official summary below). 

Mexico´s inalienable and impresciptible property on hydrocarbons in Mexico´s subsoil” remains resolute. (Nationalized in 1938, Mexico’s oil and gas sector turned 80 this year.)  And Mexico can otherwise regulate its oil and gas sector as it sees fit regarding foreign investment.

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For the Poor, How Much Energy Is Enough?

By Greg Rehmke -- October 2, 2018

“Solar may be the way to go for millions of poor people around the world, at least for starter off-grid energy. I rely on solar power for my nifty water fountain and fun outdoor Christmas tree lights. But I don’t try to power my refrigerator, hot water heater, washing machine, or other household appliances with solar.”

For prosperity and human flourishing, how much energy is enough? American settlers survived and over time prospered burning wood for cooking and heat. Later energy innovations brought higher-density energy from the earth, with coal, oil, and natural gas providing industrial and household heat and electricity.

Across the developing world though, hundreds of millions still burn wood and dung for cooking and heat. Lack of clean energy killed some 124,000 in India in 2015, according to Lancet: Pollution Due To Burning Of Cow Dung & Wood As Fuel Killed 1.24 Lakh People In One Year  (IndiaTimes, updated June 4, 2018)

Indoor pollution, which is not often seen as potentially harmful, is actually fatal.

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Energy & Environmental Newsletter: October 1, 2018

By -- October 1, 2018

The Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions (AWED) is an informal coalition of individuals and organizations interested in improving national, state, and local energy and environmental policies. Our premise is that technical matters like these should be addressed by using Real Science (please consult WiseEnergy.org for more information).

A key element of AWED’s efforts is public education. Towards that end, every three weeks we put together a newsletter to balance what is found in the mainstream media about energy and the environment. We appreciate MasterResource for their assistance in publishing this information.

Some of the more important articles in this issue are:

Green Folly

Large NY Wind Project seeking major property tax reduction

China to speed up ending wind and solar subsidies

Investigation Concludes: Turbine Noise ‘Detrimental and Unreasonable’

US Courts Ordering Wind Developers to Buy Out Noise-Affected Neighbors

Dr.

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John Holdren on Trump’s Energy/Climate Armageddon (Part II: renewables, energy efficiency, carbon capture & storage, messaging, etc.)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 27, 2018
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John Holdren on Trump’s Energy/Climate Armageddon (Part I: federal R&D, Paris withdrawal, China)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 26, 2018
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Ethane Rising: Another Fossil Fuel Advances

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 25, 2018
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Wind Growth after PTC Expiration

By -- September 24, 2018
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Henrietta Larson: A Scholar for the Ages (her business histories are among the greatest energy tomes)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 20, 2018
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Betting the House on Plant Vogtle

By Joseph Pokalsky -- September 18, 2018
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‘Peak Oil’ is Now Demand, not Supply

By -- September 17, 2018
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